Guinta finds an interesting fundraising partner

Former U.S. Rep. Frank Guinta, R-Manchester, has not supported gay marriage in the past. In his return bid to Congress this year, Guinta faces a Republican primary challenge from Dan Innis who not only supports gay marriage but himself is in a gay marriage.

All of this is a precursor to the news today that Guinta has entered into a joint fundraising committee with Richard Tisei, a Massachusetts Republican candidate for Congress, who, like Innis, is in a gay marriage. The news was first reported in the Springfield (Mass.) Republican.

The New England Majority Fund was established earlier this month for Guinta and Tisei. Raising money in an outside organization such as this allowed for someone who has already given the maximum contribution to a candidate to give more in another way that could still help the candidate. Often these types of committees are set up by organizations like the National Republican Congressional Committee, but there is no outward sign of that this time.

This new fund has two Boston area fundraisers planned, sources say.

It is an interesting move for Guinta, who might be able to capture some money that they was meant to go the way of his primary opponent Innis.

Such a move could also raise questions in Guinta's socially conservative base, but for one leader it is not a problem.

Shannon McGinley is among the most well-known social conservatives in the state has has been actively leading the group Cornerstone Action. When asked about this this joint committee, McGinley said, "As with all candidates, 'we trust but verify.' Frank has a strong voting record on these principles and I have no reason to believe that is going to change for perceived political expediency."